Machine for uniting sections of cork and the like.



A. M. TOZZI. MACHINE FOR urmme SECTXONS 0F coax map THE LIKE.

Patented July 30, 1918.

3 SHELTS SHEETI APPLXCATlON FILED JUNE 21 91? MACHiNE FOR UNITING SECHONS 0F CORK AND THE LIKE. APPucmou FlLiE) run! 21. I9! rv 1 ,274:,21 6. Patented July 30, 1918.

3 $HEETSSHEET I A. M. TOZZI.

MACHINE FOR UNITING SECTIONS OF CORK AND THE LIKE.

I W. Patented July 30, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

T222 own Jul NEW l I Q w for Uniting UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANGELO M. 'I'OZZI, OF BAYONNE, NEW JEN, ABSIGNOB 1'0 130m murae'runme V comm, F YORK, N. Y., CORPORATION 01' YORK- IAOHINE FOR UNI'IING SECTIONS 0! 003! m m m Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J nly 30, 1918.

Application fled June 27, 1817. lerlal No. 177,840.

State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines of which t e following is a specification.

,The object of.this invention-is to provide. a machine of simple and ellicient construe tion for expeditiously uniting a plurality of contiguous bars or sections of cork and the like, and more especially the sections which are employed in the production of buo ant panels of life preservers.

Tl le invention generally 'stated, comprises in a machine for the purpose mentioned, means for feeding successive rows of parallel skewers; means for supporting a plurality of juxtaposed sections of material transversely of and beyond the end of the row of skewers, and means for effecting between said row and sections a relative movement longitudinally of "the skewers, whereby the sections are fastened securely together b the row of skewers. The term skewers is used in a broad sense to comrehend fastening pins, rods and analogous evices.

The inventio more specifically, comprises such a machine having means for long tudinally driving the rows, of skewers in succession, and means for clamping the ]'uxtaposed sections transversely of the path of the skewers in their longitudinalmovement.

The invention also com rises various features of construction an combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawin Figure 1 is a' p an of a machine embodying the rinciple of mywinvention; the juxtapose 'cork sections ing indicated and the skewer inserting mechanismfbeing shown as retracted preparatory to the" insertion of the skewers into the sections.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the machine as on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a ortion of the bed, and adjuncts, in the region of the inserting mechanism, showing the cork-sections as assembled and clamped upon the bed, and the skewers as driven into the sections.

Sections of Cork andthe like,

- the said plate being shown in its position of Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section through the machine, as on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of one of the channeled skewerides, the adjacent feeder chute therefor, an a portion of the slotted transfer plate between the 'de and chute delivery to the skewer guides.

F g. 6 is a perspective view of the slotted transfer lplate and the up-standing cam member ereon.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the plunger head and its pins.

8 is a similar view of the channeled guide plate for the skewers.

Fig. 9 is a front end view of one of the plunger pins, enlarged.

Fi 10 is a sectional elevation thereof,- showmg the opposing end of a skewer.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a bed or table and 11 standards therefor, the whole constituting a substantial-supporting frame.

Leading to the top of the bed, near one end thereof, is a horizontal trough 12 by way of which a plurality of cork sections, assembled side by side, may be manually fed upon the bed so as to extend transversel of the latter; said bed being provided with a suitably-located transverse bar 18 which ailords a guide and backer for the sections (a) imposed on the bed. In the present instance three cork sections are illustrated, but, of course, the number of sections may be varied to 'meet the requirements of any particular size or type of life preserver. Overhanging the ortion of the bed on which the cork sectlons are disposed are spaced arms 14 which are pivoted at their outer ends to brackets 15 on the bed; such arms being rigidly connected by cross-rods 16 17, the forward one of which is preferabl arched to constitute a handle. On the un erside of each of the arms are spaced teeth 18 which are arr to engage the tops of the respective cor sections on the bed when the arms are depressed, said arms being maintained normally raised above the sections by the action of suitable springs 19 irfitcllgpgsed between the respective arms and t e of a link 20 with a foot treadle 21 which is ivotally sup orted between the stander 8, whereby wlfen the treadle is depressed the arms 14 and their teeth are forced down u on the assembled cork-sections so as to 0 amp the sections firmly in place on the bed. When the treadle is released the arms are permitted to resume their elevated condition.

22 designates a power-driven shaft having its hearings in suitable boxes beneath the bed. In the present instance the shaft is adapted to be driven from a suitably-disposed electric motor 23 through the belt 24 and pulleys 25, 26 on the motor shaft 27 and shaft 22 respectively.

The pulley 26 is loosely mounted on its shaft and a suitable clutch is provided whereby the pulley can be temporarily locked on the shaft. The clutch herein illus trated is an ordinary type of pin clutch which is manually operated to lock the pulley on the shaft but is automatically actuated to release the pulley at the end of a complete rotation of the shaft. The clutch comprises a circumferentially grooved member 28 kc ed on the shaft adjacent the hub of the pulley. This member is provided with a slidable key 29 which is movable toward and from the proximate face of the pulley hub; the key being normally pressed toward and into a facial slot, 30 in the hub by a uitably-disposed spring 31. The outer edge of the key extends into the circumferential groove of the member 28 and is provided therein with a notch 32 which is located in the path of the inner beveled portion 33 of a hand lever 34. This lever is conveniently pivoted to one of the standards, and it is normally maintained with its beveled por-. tion positioned within the notch of the key by means of a retracting spring 35 which is secured to the inner lever arm and to the adjacent standard. The beveled portion of the lever thus acts as a lock to hold the key retracted against the force of the spring 31. When, however, the outer or handle arm of the lever .is depressed by the operator the beveled portion is raised from the key, thus releasing the latter and permitting the spring 31 to project the end of the key into the opposi slot in the pulley hub and lock the pul ey on theshaft. Thereu on the shaft is rotated by the pulley. T e lever being released by the o erator its beveled portionrests upon the our of the groove in the clutch member during the movement of the shaft, and as the shaft completes its rotation the notch of the key receives the beveled portion of the lever which, exenting a cam action on the key, automatically retracts the key in opposition to the force of the spring; thereby releasing the pulley hub from the shaft. Preferably the clutch member on the pulley shaft is provided with a brake band 36 which i sures the ins nt -a ong the channels by the plungers.

stopping of the shaft when the pulley is re eased.

The form of clutch and brake above described is old. It has been selected herein for the purpose of illustration only.

Mounted in and between suitable parallel guides 87 extending longitudinally of the bed is a plunger head 38 which is connected by a pltman 39 with a crank 40 on the shaft 22, which head is thus reciprocated longitudlnally of the bed during the rotation of the shaft. On the forward (or ri ht hand) end of the head are a series of forwardly pro eoting pins 41 which are arranged in s aced parallel relation to each other. In t e present instance, four equally spaced pins are employed, but of course the number may be increased or reduced if desired.

42 designates a guide member fastened to the bed directly in front of the cross-head, which member comprises a base plate having a series of upstanding projections 43 extending longitudinally of the bed. The pro ections correspond in number and spaced relation with the plunger pins and are provlded in their upper surfaces with longitudinal channels 44 which. receive the respective pins when the plunger is advanced. The basal portions of the channels are semi-circular or substantially so, correspondingly with the curvature of the skewers to be inserted int the assembled sections, and the sides of the channels are outwardly inclined or flared, as seen in Fig. 5. The acting ends of the plunger pins are shaped to correspond with and fit snugly in thelower portions of the guide channels 44, and are provided with tapering sockets 45 the walls of which are adapted to engage and encompass the opposing ends of the skewers which have been seated in the channels as below described, thereby effecting and maintaining a positive central abutment of the plungers ainst the skewers as the latter are drien 8B Fi s. 9 and 10.)

upported above the lguide member by means of brackets 46 on t e bed, is a hopper or magazine 47 of suitable shape and dimensions to contain aquantity of skewers (B) in arallel relation to each other. and longitu lnally of the bed. In the present instance this hop er comprises, in the main, sides, ends and a ottom. Entering the bottom are the upper ends of a series of depending chutes48 which overhang the channeled guide member, such chutes corresponding in number'and spaced relation with the channels of the guide member, and the lower ends of the chutes. terminating slightly above and'laterally of the channels. The side wal of portions of the chutes within the hopper are inclined as at 49, to afford enlarged inlets to the chutes, the adjacent upper ends-of succeeding chutes being conand length to nected by bridge pieces which insure the delivery of the skewers to the, inlets of the chutes. Each of'the chutes isfofla width permit the downward passage of a sin e row of skewers in horizontal parallel ation to each other. In order to prevent the tipping or cantin of the skewers within t e chute, the y of the chute is slightly curved laterally, as at 51, the curved portion terminating in the lower vertical discharge portion 52 of the chute.

Interposed between the guide member and the lower ends of the chutes is a reciprocable plate 58 having therein a series of spaced arallel slots 54 which correspond .in num r and position with the chutes.

The plate (which is shown detached in Fig. 6) is slightly thicker than a skewer, and each of the slots corresponds in width and length with the delivery opening of the chute. When the plate is in one position of its movement the slots thereof are in regist with the delivery ends of the chutes an hence the lowermost skewer in each of the chutes drops into the subjacent slot. When the plate is in the other position of its movement the slots are in registry with the flaring mouths of the channels?! of the guide member, and hence the skewers, previously entered in the slots, are moved about I and transferred to the channels, the body of the late at such time temporarily closing the en s of the chutes.

' In the resent instance the slotted transfer plate is maintained yieldingly in a position with its slots in registry with the respective chutes by means of springs 55 at one end of the late. These springs, encircling end guide pins 56 on the plate, press against the plate and a suitab -di n;- bracket 57 through .which the pins extend. On the late is an upstanding bar 58 having a beve ed or cam surface against which impinges the side of a rearward y extending arm 59 on one of the swinging arms 14 when the latter are depressed in the clamping operation. Thus the transfer plate is moved against the action of the springs 55 so as to position the slots in regist with the ide channels concurrent y wit the operation of clamping the cork sec tions on the bed.

The operation of the machine above described is briefly as follows: A series of cork sections (a) for a life reserver panel are manually arranged si e by side in the trough .12, and the whole then shifted'to and upon the top of the table and in contact with the backer bar 13, as seen in Figs. 1 2 and 3. The operatorthen dep e treadle, thus lowering the toothed arms 14 upon the assembled sections and firmly clamping the latter in position. At the same time the arm extension 59 coiiperates with the upstanding cam bar 58 to shift the 34, thus unlatching the ey 29 and permitting its engagement with the slotted face of the pulley hub, thereby locking the pullefy on the shaft 22. Upon the completion 0 a rotation of the shaft the key is automaticallyX cammed back by the beveled ortion of t e lever, thu's unlocking the pn ley whereupon the shaft is instantly arrested by the action of the brake. During the rotation of the shaft the plunger head 38 is reciprocated, the ins thereof in their movement into and t rough the parallel channels of the guide member 42 forcing the skewers which are seated in said channels into-and transversely of the assembled cork sections, thereby fastening the latter securely together. In the return stroke of the plungcr the pins are retracted, whereupon the operator releases the treadle, and removes the united cork sections from the machine. He then assembles another series of cork sections upon the bed preparatory to a repetiskewers in parallel relation to each other,

of a movable element for receiving consecutive rows of skewers from the hopper and transferring them to said supporting means, means for supporting a plurality of juxtaposed sections of material transversely of and beyond the end of the skewers in said supporting means, means for clamping the positioned sections, co-actin means between said movable element an the clamping means whereby said element and clamping means are simultaneously operated, and means for efi'ecting between each supported row of skewers and the positioned sections a relative movement longitudinally of the skewers.

2. In a machine of the character described,

the combination of an element having a row movable clampin members, for tem but out 0 P r locking the posi ioned sections upon said supporting means. a

i 3. In amachine of the characterdescribed, the combination of a supporting bed, an element thereon having a row of spaced parallel guide channels, means for feeding successive rows of skewers to said channels, a reciprocative element inoludin pinscorrespondin in said c annels, means for reciprocating said element, and means for clamping on the bed transversely of and adjacent the delivery end of the channels a plurality of juxtaposed section of material. 1

4. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a skewer-containing ho per, a series of skewer-feedin chutes di pendin therefrom an element avinga row of para lel ide channels corresponding to f vertical alinement with said chutes, a transfer member having a series of transverse slots corresponding to the chutes, means for reciprocatin said transfer member so as to move its s ots from the chutes to the guide channels and back again, and thereb transfer succeedin from t e chutes tothe gui e channels, means for longitudinally moving each row of skewers along the channels. and means for supporting a plurality of juxtaposed sections of material transversely of the path of the skewers in their lon itudinal movement.

the character described,

skewer-containing hopper, a series of skewer-feedin chute depending therefrom an element avin a row of parallel guide channels corresponding to but out of vertical alinement with said chutes, a transfer member having a series of transverse slots corresponding to the chutes, means for reciprocating said transfer member so as to move its slots from the chute to the guide channels and back again, and thereb transfer succeedin rows of skewers from the chutes to the gui e channels, means for longitudinally moving each row of skewers along the channels, a sup ort for a plurality of 1uxtaposed sections 0 material transversely of the path of the skewers in their longitudinal movement, and means for clamping said sections on the support.

In a machine of the character described, the combination of a skewer-containing hopper, a series of spaced skewerfeeding chutes depending therefrom, an element having a row of spaced parallel guide channels corresponding to but out of vertical alinement with said chutes, a transfer member having a series of spaced transverse slots corresponding to the chutes, means for reciprocating said transfer member so as to move its slots from the chutes to the guide channels and back again, and thereby transfer succeeding rows of skewers from the 5. In a machine 0 the combination of a to and longitudinal y movable scribed, the combination of a skewer-conrows of skewers inmate taining hopper, a series of spaced skewerfeeding chutes depending therefrom, an element having a row of spaced parallel guide channels corresponding to but out of vertical alinement with said chutes, a transfer member having a series of spaced transverse slots corresponding to the chutes, means for reciprocatin said transfer member so as to move its s ots from the chutes to the guide channels and back again, and thereby trans fer succeeding rows of skewers from the chutes to the guide channels, a pin-bearing plunger for longitudinally moving each row of skewers alon the channels, intermittently acting mec anism for operating said plunger, a support for a plurality of juxtaposed sections of material transversely of the path of the skewers in their longitudinal movement, and means for clamping said sections on the support.

8. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a skewer-containing hopper, a series of spaced skewerfeeding chutes depending therefrom, an element having a row of spaced parallel guide 100 channels correspondin to but out of vertical alinement with said chutes, a transfer member having a series of s aced transverse slots corresponding to the c utes, means for reciprocating said transfer member so as 105 to move its slots from the chutes to the guide channels and back again, and thereby transfer succeeding rows of skewers from the chutes to the guide channels, a pin-bearing plun or for longitudinally moving each 110 row of s ewers along the channels, a shaft,

a positively driven-pulley loose thereon, a clutch, means for manually operating said clutch to lock the pulley to the shaft and to permit the automatic release of the pulley 115 upon the completion of a revolution, operative connection between the shaft and the plunger, and means for supporting a plularity of juxtaposed sections of material means for reciprocating said transfer memher so as to move its slots from the chutes to the guide channels and back again, and thereby transfer succeeding rows of skewers from the chutes to the guide channels, a pin-bearing plunger for longitudinally moving each row of skewers along the channels, a shaft, a positively driven-pulley loose thereon, a clutch, means for manually operating said clutch to lock the pulley to the shaft and to permit the automatic re lease of the pulley upon the completion of a revolution, operative connection between the shaft and the plunger, a support for a plurality of juxtaposed sections of material transversely of the path of the skewers in their longitudinal movement, clamp members overhanging the said support, a treadle,

and operative connection between said treadle and the clamp members.

10. In a machine of the character described, a skewer-containing hopper and a series of spaced skewer-feeding chutes de pending therefrom, each of said chutes being internally proportioned to ermit the descent therethrough of a sing e row of skewers in horizontal parallel relation to each other, and bein laterally curved above the delivery end 0 the chute to resent curved walls tothe longitudinal sides of each of the descending skewers and thus prevent the ti pin of the skewers.

Signed at ew ork in the county and State of New York this 25th day of June,

A. D. 1911' if ANGELO M. TOZZI. 

